Speeches, music celebrate dedication of Eastham library

Those cozy chairs beside the glorious picture windows overlooking Long Pond are occupied with readers, the children’s room is abuzz with activity and the circulation desk is percolating.

Eastham’s Library has been open for business since November but on Saturday morning it was formally dedicated with dignitaries, pomp and songs from the Nauset High Treble Chorus.

“If we could time travel you can only imagine the wonderful events that could happen here,” said state Rep. Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown). “Driving down here I remembered the SOS calls from the construction committee when they got approval but no (grant) money followed. Can you help with that? I remember working closely with the Mass Library Commissioners who’ve had your back through the process.”

Dave Payor, chairman of the library trustees, noted the idea for a new library formed 14 years ago when residents were surveyed and asked what a new library should be. Renovation, expansion or new were debated and in the end the old historic 1897 building was folded into the new.

“This is an amazing space. I look forward to getting to come here many many times “ State Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro) remarked. “I look forward to this building being seen as a place of learning and civic engagement.”

Funding came from a $4.3 million matching grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners; the town approved matching funds in 2014, and there were private donations.

“This represents a gathering place for the community to come together in a world that gets more isolated because technology isolates us rather than bring us together,” former state Sen. Dan Wolf said. “The way to learn what happened is to read books. Our history is back there in all those books. So get your kids in here. If you’re not reading two or three books now take them out and read them because it can make us all a smarter community.”

The Eastham Library Building Fund reached its goal of $1 million in contributions.

“We’re a few dollars over, $300 and change,” fund president Al Alfano explained. “So what we’re doing is spending money on furniture, technology and preservation. It’s been a phenomenal fundraising campaign with very generous donors. This is probably one of the hardest working committees I’ve ever worked with.”

The committee took in over $55,000 from fundraisers such as yard sales, a hydrangea festival and a cocktail party. They got a community preservation grant for the old building (which is incorporated into the new).

“The sound of one hand clapping is never heard in Eastham,” Town Administrator Sheila Vanderhoef noted. “There is always collaboration.”

“We were two gray haired grandmothers on an important mission,” proclaimed Mary Shaw one of the Building Fund Capital Campaign co-chairmen (with Mimi Ace). “The idea to raise $1 million seemed like a daunting task. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It was an honor and privilege to work on the project on behalf of the citizens of Eastham. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The committee will operate for another year on collecting the funds and then disperse.

Dedication week comes to a close Saturday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. with a classical music concert featuring Elizabeth Tipton, on piano and Monika Woods, on clarinet.